Should log file streams be opened/closed on each write or kept open during a desktop application's lifetime?

Question

Should log classes open/close a log file stream on each write to the log file or should it keep the log file stream open throughout the application\'s lifetime until all log

Answer 1

I would tend to leave them open -- but open them with the file share permissions set to allow other readers and make sure you flush log output with every message.

I hate programs which don't even let you look at the logfile while they are running, or where the log file isn't flushed and lags behind what is happening.